Srinagar: BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh and People’s Conference (PC) President Sajad Gani Lone today visited the residence of Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari here.
Talking to us, Bukhari said, “There is nothing political about the visit. I was unwell and they came to inquire about my health. It was purely a courtesy call by them and no politics was discussed. Sajad sahib keeps on visiting me and we have family terms.” Asked when the Apni Party will announce its candidate for the Baramulla parliamentary constituency, he said, “That we will do after Eid.”
Earlier, the visit of Chugh and Lone to Bukhari’s residence had led to reports in the political circles and media here that perhaps the meeting between the three was yet another effort to form an electoral alliance of like-minded parties against the traditional political parties, National Conference, PDP and Congress. Reports also said the focus of the meeting was on Baramulla parliamentary constituency, where Sajad Lone has decided to contest. Apni Party has not yet announced its candidate for the constituency, while it has announced candidates for the Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri-Poonch seats.
As per reports, some months back Bukhari and Lone had held a meeting and agreed to form an alliance to avoid division of votes among the parties fighting against traditional parties. But no headway could be made later.
Later, the Apni Party held talks with Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) to form the alliance. The alliance could not be formed and Azad decided to contest from the Anantnag-Rajouri-Poonch constituency, and Apni Party also announced candidates for the constituency as well as for the Srinagar constituency.
